Description

This climb ascends the left hand edge of the "shorter wall" of Rock Garden Valley that holds the more spectacular lines of Double Dogleg and Split Personality. Still the line does see some traffic and deservedly so. It is a nice and largely juggy warm up. It should be noted that "Shorter Wall" is a relative term and that the perhaps mis-named 'shorter wall' is taller than many of the walls at J-tree, with most of the lines being about 100' or so.

Start in the left hand side of the buttress, stemming a move or two up an A-shaped overhanging dihedral to a good horizontal, then heave up into a crack. Climb the crack up and to the top, passing a wide section about 1/2 way up. The climb may not be appropriate for nervous or beginning leaders unless you take some OW protection.

Up top, place a directional and head for the bolt anchors of Rock Candy (up and right) to belay. Rap with a 60M+ rope to descend.

Protection

This climb is reasonably well protected provided you take a big piece or two. A 4.5 Camalot could be used with a #4 to Sew it up, but with just a single #4 the lead is also 'reasonable'. For climbers solid at the grade, I think most will be comfortable with no wide gear at all, as the route is not very insecure.

A person learning to lead should not make this his/her first 5.7. The start may be a bit too much. Either way, whoever leads should place bomber pro to protect the start. It's technically easy; but if you blow it, you may be on a feeding tube forever and ever.

I'm surprised this one doesn't get climbed more often. The crack is great but it has a stiff start! You just have to suck it up and do the first two or three moves. I sort of chimneyed my way up the left side till I could move over. Bring lots of big gear, I recommend doubles of cams 2,3,4. Overall a very good climb.

I agree with Larry. This route is a lot of fun, and I personally enjoyed it more than double dogleg. I don't think you need much big gear since the off-width section is short and easy, but a #4 camelot should do fine. Lots in the #2 range though is helpful throughout.

the upper and lower Rock Garden Valley (Shorter) walls are all NE facing, ie, shady most of the day. the sun does arc across the sky a lil differently in the summer than in the winter, that these walls get morning sun for longer in the summer than in the winter